Over the coming weeks, we’ll be asking for feedback on a proposal that would change how drinking water is supplied to the Waitoa community. With consultation opening on 30 April, we wanted to explain why change is needed, what’s being proposed, and how people can provide feedback.

The proposal being consulted on is an estimated $8.2 million investment in Waitoa’s drinking water, with costs shared so a small community isn’t asked to carry that alone.

The proposal Council is preparing to consult on would connect Waitoa to the Te Aroha water supply, at an estimated total cost of $8.2 million. Under the proposed funding approach, Waitoa property owners would contribute 15%, with the remaining 85% funded through targeted water rates paid by properties across the district that already receive Council water services.

Something has to change

The way drinking water is supplied to Waitoa needs to change. For many years, Fonterra has provided water to the village. However, Fonterra has formally decided to step away from that role.

That means the current arrangement cannot continue. Council now has a responsibility to ensure Waitoa has access to safe and reliable drinking water into the future, and to do that we need to consider alternative options.

What’s being proposed, and what it costs

Council is proposing that Waitoa connect to the Council’s water supply at Te Aroha, following a recommendation from the Waitoa Community Panel.

The estimated cost of the project is $8.2 million, based on high‑level estimates. If approved, the proposal would be funded through a shared approach:

• Waitoa property owners would contribute 15% of the total project cost (estimated at around $10,000 per property, depending on payment options), and
• district water ratepayers would fund the remaining 85%, through targeted water rates (estimated at around $35 per year for five years for properties that already pay water rates). Waitoa ratepayers would also start paying targeted water rates.

All figures are estimates and would be subject to consultation and future decisions.

The proposed 15%/85% cost split was agreed by Council in September 2024. It reflects the current approach where the cost of providing safe drinking water is shared across the district. Costs are funded through targeted water rates paid by properties connected to Council supply, rather than being carried by a small community on its own, where the cost would be unaffordable.

Sharing infrastructure costs isn’t new

Sharing the cost of essential infrastructure across the district has happened before — including when Waharoa and Tahuna were connected to the wastewater network. Just like the Waitoa proposal, spreading the costs made a long‑term solution affordable for those small communities, while ensuring safe and reliable services were provided.

In practice, we already share water costs across the district. Everyone who is connected to a Council water supply pays the same amount because t

hey receive the same service — clean, safe drinking water. Ratepayers in Morrinsville already contribute to water services in Matamata or Te Aroha, and vice versa. This proposal would add Waitoa into that existing pool of water ratepayers.

How this proposal came about

The proposal is based on the work of the Waitoa Community Panel, made up of local residents who spent time working through the options for how drinking water could be supplied in the future.

Panel members explored what was realistically possible, including options like self‑supply and a community‑managed bore. They heard from independent and Council experts and talked through what each option would mean in practice — from costs and responsibilities, through to firefighting capacity and longer‑term impacts for households.

People didn’t all come into the process with the same views. But by working through the information together, discussing trade‑offs, and asking questions the Panel reached a shared understanding. Their final recommendations were unanimous.

Council has agreed with those recommendations in principle and is now preparing to seek wider feedback before making a final decision.

Share your feedback

From 30 April, Council will ask for feedback on the proposed approach. You'll be able to go online but if you would prefer a hard‑copy version of the consultation material, you can visit one of our libraries or offices, or call 0800 746 467.

We don’t yet know when this project would be delivered if it’s approved — it would not be in the next year or two — and delivery would ultimately sit with Waikato Waters Ltd. Council’s role is to make a decision and advocate for the project’s prioritisation.

What people share during the feedback period (30 April to 21 May) will help inform Council’s decision.